Characterization of Fibre Reinforced Bituminous Mixes

A pavement structure can be designed either as a flexible pavement or a rigid pavement based on its structural behavior, with flexible pavements being widely preferred in India due to its advantages over rigid pavements and economy. Stone Mastic Asphalt is a gap graded bituminous mixture containing a high proportion of coarse aggregate and filler, with relatively little sand sized particles. In the present study, an attempt has been made to study the effects of use of a naturally and locally available fiber called COIR fiber is used as stabilizer in SMA For preparation of the mixes aggregate gradation has been taken as per MORTH Specification, binder content has been varied from 5 % to 7 %. Fiber content varied from SMA 0.2 %, 0.3 % and 0.4 %and the fiber length varied from 10mm and 15mm. Different performance tests conducted on SMA Mix are Marshall Stability test, drain down test, Indirect Tensile test, Moisture Susceptibility, Repeated Load test with rest period. The specimens for these tests were prepared by Marshall Compaction method. All the tests were carried out for the aggregate gradation of SMA used for wear course in order to study the Characterization on fiber reinforced bituminous mixes.